Ticket prices for Evolutions 2025 go up NEXT WEEK! Lock in the best rate now and join us for an incredible experience.

Welcome back!

It’s officially Evolutions Chicago month, and we’ve got a big update: Our keynote lineup is here! We’ve also added a few more speakers to the schedule, bringing even more insight and expertise to the Evolutions stage.

Plus, a quick heads-up—ticket prices go up next week! If you haven’t registered yet, now’s the time to lock in your spot at the best rate.

Check out the latest announcements below!

Big Names, Big Topics: Evolutions 2025 Keynote Sessions

Niche to Mainstream: How Podcasting Became the Pulse of Modern Media

In this powerful session, explore how podcasting has transformed from niche medium to a cultural cornerstone where diverse communities find belonging in our polarized world. You’ll hear from an all-star panel including Sam Sanders (Sam Sanders Show), Matt Shapo (IAB), Veronika Taylor (Acast), Jason Saldanha (PRX), and Jannese Torres (Yo Quiero Dinero) as they unpack how podcast creators have become the dominant shapers of public opinion and engines of social change. They’ll dive into how the medium creates space for underrepresented voices and fosters meaningful connections that are increasingly rare in other media formats.

“What’s a Podcast?” - Defining the Future of the Movement 

Dan Granger, CEO of Oxford Road and Veritone One, hits the Evolutions stage to tackle podcasting’s existential question as video reshapes our industry landscape. As the architect behind merging two powerhouses into the world’s largest podcast agency, Granger will unveil exclusive findings from Oxford Road’s forthcoming “What’s a Podcast?” report, created in partnership with Edison Research. This session cuts through the noise with a bold vision for preserving podcasting’s soul while ensuring its growth and longevity—essential insights for anyone with skin in the audio game who wants to help shape what comes next.

From Explosion to Evolution: The State of Video Podcasting 

Get ready for a data-driven deep dive into video podcasting’s rapid evolution with Coleman Insights’ Jay Nachlis and Amplifi Media’s Steve Goldstein. They’ll unpack fresh research revealing who’s winning the video podcast race, audience engagement patterns, and which platforms are driving growth. This session delivers actionable strategies for creators navigating the audio-visual landscape, answering the burning questions about where to market, how to maximize engagement, and what successful adaptation looks like in this hybrid medium that’s reshaping our industry.

The Podnews Report Card Returns 

Industry oracle James Cridland returns to the Evolutions stage with his highly anticipated Podnews Report Card for 2025. This no-holds-barred industry assessment has become a must-see event for anyone serious about understanding podcasting’s true state of play. There’s still one day left to contribute your insights to this year’s data—don’t miss your chance to help shape the conversation around where we’re headed and what we need to fix.

More keynote sessions after this break

Coming Next Week: Tom Webster’s Opening Keynote Reveal

Mark your calendars, podcast fam! Next week we’ll be dropping the details on Tom Webster’s opening keynote that promises to set the tone for the entire conference. If you’ve experienced Tom’s data-rich, insight-packed presentations before, you know this will be appointment viewing that shapes your strategic thinking for the year ahead. Stay tuned—this is one announcement you won’t want to miss.

REMINDER: Pulitzer Winner Ronan Farrow Takes the Stage 

Don’t forget that Evolutions 2025 kicks off with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ronan Farrow in conversation with Audible Chief Content Officer Rachel Ghiazza. In “The Next Frontier of Investigative Journalism,” Farrow will unpack how audio has revolutionized investigative reporting, the unique challenges facing today’s truth-seekers, and why the audio format has exploded as the go-to medium for nuanced, impactful journalism. This powerhouse session alone is worth the price of admission.

New Week Means New Amazing Sessions

Evolutions 2025 is already packed with great content, and it just got even better. We’ve added new sessions filled with fresh insights, expert perspectives, and practical strategies from top voices in podcasting. Check out the latest additions:

Changing Passive Podcast Listeners into Active Podcast Listeners w/ Matt Sorum of Gigaverse

From Reach to Revenue: The Collaboration Blueprint for Podcast Success w/ Harris Lane of Rhapsody Voices, Lindsay Graham and Mike Jensen of Airship

Giving brands a voice in the future of podcasting w/ Conor Doyle of Veritone One

Multi-Party Productions: Better Together or Why Bother? w/ Chris Kelly of Kelly & Kelly

One feed to rule them all. Is the ‘umbrella’ the future of narrative podcasting? w/ Jonas Woost of Bumper

Podcast Advertising: 2024 Year-in-Review & 2025 Preview w/ Cameron Hendrix of Magellan AI

Taking a Bite Out of the $1 Trillion Global Advertising Industry: How Podcasts Can Amplify Any Brand’s Media Mix w/ Alexis Gossard of Bayer Pharma

Make sure to add these sessions to your schedule—they’re ones to catch!

Congratulations to Our Evo Scholarship Recipients!

We’re thrilled to welcome a new wave of podcasters to Evolutions 2025 through the Evo Scholarship Program! These scholarships are designed to support podcasting newcomers who haven’t attended a Podcast Movement event before and face financial barriers to participation.

Tanner Read, Retrieving Sanity

Daniel Johnson

Blair Riggs, The Adaptable Octopus

Sambaza Batti, SAMBAZA PODCAST

Donovan Archie, LifeWith 

Jaylah Sandoval, For the love of Jaylah & Along the way

Sarah Burton, The Wedding Whisperer Podcast

Lola Soyebo Harris, The Kadara Woman Podcast 

Christy Tagye, Productive Passions

Lisa Bloom, Just ONE Person

For these recipients, Evolutions isn’t just a conference—it’s a launchpad. Over the course of the event, they’ll gain access to hands-on workshops, expert-led sessions, and networking opportunities that could shape the future of their podcasting journey.

To all of our Evo Scholars: Congratulations! We can’t wait to see you in Chicago and watch you take this next big step in your podcasting journey.

Before we go, our friends at ADOPTER Media has launched a unique podcast for the industry, dedicated to the behind-the-scenes world of Ad Operations in podcast advertising. Some call them the unsung heroes of the industry! Click Here to learn more and check it out!

That’s all for now! With the full keynote lineup announced and more sessions added, Evolutions 2025 is shaping up to be an incredible event. Don’t forget—ticket prices go up next week, so if you haven’t registered yet, now’s the time to lock in the best rate.

Stay tuned for more updates, and we can’t wait to see you in Chicago.

Chat soon,
Team Podcast Movement

• Evolutions 2025
  Chicago, IL
  March 31 - April 3, 2025

• Podcast Movement 2025
  Dallas, TX
  August 18-21, 2025